About this episode
Is everything you’ve been told about OCD wrong?
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova sits down with Elysse Lescarbeau, writer, advocate, and author of OCD Exposed: 10 Myths and Misconceptions About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Together, they uncover the hidden sides of OCD—from misunderstood symptoms to the powerful truth about recovery.
Elysse opens up about:
• Being misdiagnosed and discovering OCD later in life
• Living with mental compulsions and invisible obsessions
• The breaking point that led to her diagnosis and healing
• How ERP, ACT, and ICBT changed her life and mindset
This honest conversation dives into:
• The biggest myths and misconceptions about OCD
• The hidden forms of OCD most people never see
• How OCD recovery rewires your brain and restores hope
• Real stories of survival, recovery, and empowerment
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical tools for real recovery.
📲 About Elysse Lescarbaugh (guest):
Certified life coach + future therapist
OCD & Anxiety Survivor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocd.or.just.me
Webpage: https://www.ocdorjustme.com/
✂️ TIMESTAMPS
[00:00] “I Thought My Brain Was Broken” — Meet Elysse, Who Discovered OCD at 29
[00:57] The Childhood Moment That Changed Everything: Protecting Her Little Brother Became an Obsession
[01:45] Silent Struggles: Living Decades with OCD No One Could See
[02:30] The Breaking Point: When Compulsions Suddenly Stopped Working in Europe
[03:15] “I Don’t Want to Live Anymore” — The Night She Finally Asked for Help
[03:45] The Doctor Who Changed Her Life With One Sentence: “Have You Ever Considered OCD?”
[04:30] The Power of Honesty: How One Conversation Opened the Door to Recovery
[05:15] From Despair to Diagnosis — The Moment Everything Made Sense
[05:50] Why OCD Isn’t About Cleaning or Order — The Biggest Myth Everyone Believes
[06:45] How the Media Got OCD All Wrong (and Why It Still Hurts Real People)
[07:30] The Hidden Type of OCD No One Talks About: Mental Compulsions & Rumination
[08:40] The Book That’s Changing the Conversation — OCD Exposed: 10 Myths & Misconceptions
[09:35] Why OCD Doesn’t Define Who You Are — And How to See It Clearly
[10:14] The Human Side of OCD: Real Survivor Stories from Around the World
[11:00] The Truth About OCD Recovery: It’s Not Easy, But It’s Possible
[11:50] What OCD Really Feels Like — Beyond the Stereotypes and Statistics
[12:40] The Science of Recovery: How ERP, ACT & ICBT Rewire the Brain
[13:30] “I Still Get Intrusive Thoughts… But They Don’t Control Me Anymore.”
[14:40]
